THE first of Saints' trio of overseas signing has arrived in town with his family.

Joel Thompson is settling into St Helens having flown in from Sydney.

The experienced former Manly Sea Eagles second row has signed a two-year contract with the Super League champions.

The 32-year-old brings a wealth of experience having played for Canberra and St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL.

Sainus have also signed Sione Mata'utia and Agnatius Paasi, but Thompson is here and is already getting his feet under the table.

He told Saints TV: "I am loving it - we have been over here a short while now and the family are enjoying it.

"The people here have been unreal and very welcoming.

 

"It has been a good move. The people at the club have been very helpful with the move here."

One thing he and his family are getting used to is the colder Christmas - swapping the 24 degrees of Sydney for chilly south Lancashire.

But he says that has its advantages, too.

"It is a colder Christmas than we are used to back in Australia, but the girls have already had me out to get a real Christmas tree for the first time.

"I'm looking forward to spending time as a little family over here," he said.